Month: June 2017

Wow! Dakota Access’ hired security squad got caught cracking down on pipeline opponents in North Dakota without a license. Well, it looks like the situation in Iowa is pretty similar. Read the release below, and help us get it out to your local news sources, online networks, bathroom walls, and where ever else thinking people get their news.

To those who were planning to come to Rockwell City tomorrow for Heather Pearson’s trial, hang tight. The court has again moved the date. Now it’s July 6 and 7. And I hope to see you this Saturday for the big rally, concert and call to action featuring Gabriel Ayala at the Iowa State Capitol. — Ed

Company Spying on Pipeline Opponents Operated Without LicenseAnalysis suggests TigerSwan guilty of a serious misdemeanor

Des Moines, Iowa — Conversations with two Iowa Department of Public Safety (IDPS) officials (Amber Markham and Ross Loder) and preliminary analysis of relevant records show that TigerSwan, the para-military security firm hired by Dakota Access to spy on pipeline opponents, operated in Iowa without a license for at least six months.

After it was revealed earlier this week that North Dakota officials refused to issue TigerSwan a license to operate in that state, Ed Fallon, the head of Bold Iowa and a former member of the Iowa House of Representatives, inquired with state officials as to whether TigerSwan might have been similarly negligent in Iowa.

“It was confirmed by IDPS that they received from TigerSwan an application requesting a license on November 28, 2016,” noted Fallon. “We know from reports released by The Intercept that TigerSwan was actively spying on pipeline opponents in Iowa at least as early as August 2016. The company’s license wasn’t approved until February 1, 2017, so TigerSwan should be charged with a serious misdemeanor. Dakota Access and its subcontractors have gotten away with one infraction after another. We’re going to do everything we can to hold them accountable on this. It’s like driving without a license. There are consequences for scofflaws who do that. There ought to be consequences for TigerSwan and Dakota Access, too. They aren’t above the law, though sometimes they act that way.”

Fallon has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with IDPS to obtain any and all information that might shed further light on communications between Department officials and TigerSwan.

“From everything I’ve learned so far, Iowa’s public officials acted responsibly and with impartiality,” observed Fallon. “I have every confidence they’ll provide any additional information in a timely manner.”

Fallon also learned that individuals working with TigerSwan must be credentialed by IDPS. Originally, there were only two or three credentialed employees. Yet that number jumped to 88 by May 2017.

“Yeah, that’s kind of incredible,” said Fallon. “I’m not sure why they needed a squad of 88 security personnel to crack down on a couple hundred pipeline opponents. I suspect we’ll get an answer as more and more details about this shadowy operation come to light.”

I’m pumped about Saturday’s big event, spear-headed by Indigenous Iowa and highlighting the music of Gabriel Ayala. Gabriel may well be one of the most accomplished guitarists ever to perform at the Iowa State Capitol. Check out his music in the link I’ve included with this post. I guarantee you won’t want to miss Gabriel’s performance.

Saturday’s event is critical as we continue to push back against the power elite and demand justice in the fight against the Dakota Access pipeline. Click here to register your attendance and to learn about the three specific actions we’re asking pipeline fighters to focus on going forward.

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Another pipeline fighter goes to trial this week. Come stand with Heather Pearson in Rockwell City on Friday. The trial begins at 9:00 a.m. and we’ll hold a press conference over the noon hour on the courthouse steps. Heather (a.k.a. Bold Iowa’s Director of Rabble Rousing) played a key role in the development of the Bold Action Team tactics that were so successful at slowing down pipeline construction last fall.

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Participants in this spring’s Climate Justice Unity March continued the conversation with residents of Deep River last Thursday over a cookout in the park where we set-up camp the first night of the March.

The whole point of the March was to show that there’s unity across the political spectrum when it comes to climate solutions. Regardless of whether people agree on the causes of climate change, nearly everyone wants renewable energy and clean water. Many thanks to Darrin and Molly Ehret, Casey and Charlotte Pierce, Jack and Kim Higginbotham and all the other Deep River area folks who helped pull this together and continue to keep the conversation going.

Picture 1: Marchers mingle with locals at a cookout last week in Deep River.
Picture 2: Kelly Boon and Shelley Buffalo.
Picture 3: Ed Fallon played accordion and Ralph King’s film crew traveled all the way from San Francisco to continue documenting the March and its impact.

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Check out this week’s Fallon Forum, with birthday-boy Ron Yarnell and Ed. Here are our segment topics, and you can listen to a podcast of the show here.

1. Is the scare of American Fascism overblown?
2. Health care “reform”
3. What kills more birds: Windmills or Trump Tower?
4. Big Grocer just got bigger
5. Des Moines takes a page from Havana on food production

In light of the recent federal court ruling that the Army Corps of Engineers did not adequately consider the impacts of an oil spill on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s fishing rights, hunting rights, or issues of environmental justice when it issued the permits needed to complete the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), I urge you to immediately revoke the DAPL permit, which had initially been granted on the basis of the Army Corps’ go-ahead.

The lack of a legitimate permit adds to Iowans’ general mistrust of Dakota Access, especially since they very recently let their insurance on it lapse.

I own land in Jasper County approximately 200 yards from the pipeline. Although incredible damage has already been done to a great deal of farmland in Jasper County and across Iowa — we could still see the end to the threat that the pipeline poses to our soil and waters in the case of a leak, through the revocation of the permit.

Thank you,

Kathy Holdefer,
Des Moines, Iowa

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June 27, 2017
Re: HLP-2014-0001

Iowa Utilities Board Members:

You have a unique opportunity today to stand on the right side of history and revoke the permit for the Dakota Access pipeline across Iowa.

Recently, a federal judge released his opinion in a case brought forward by the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes challenging the Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to grant a permit to Dakota Access. In that opinion, the judge stated that “the Court agrees that it [the Corps] did not adequately consider the impacts of an oil spill on fishing rights, hunting rights, or environmental justice, or the degree to which the pipeline’s effects are likely to be highly controversial. To remedy those violations, the Corps will have to reconsider those sections of its environmental analysis upon remand by the Court.”

Shortly after, the Iowa Sierra Club and Science & Environmental Health Network filed a motion with the Iowa Utilities board to void the Iowa permit to Dakota Access because the pipeline has not met all the conditions for the permit.

The Iowa Utilities Board granted Dakota Access a permit to cross the state of Iowa and to seize private land through eminent domain, but this permit was granted on the condition that Dakota Access obtain the Army Corps of Engineers’ federal permit. Without the federal permit there is no basis for the finding of “public convenience and necessity”. Accordingly, the IUB must revoke the Iowa permit and shut down the pipeline.

This gives you, as IUB board chair and members, the opportunity to stand on the right side of history. Overwhelmingly, Iowans have opposed this pipeline. Some have taken arrest trying to protect their farms and homes from destruction. Many more have rallied, marched, signed petitions, submitted comments, written letters-to-the editor, attended legislative and county supervisor meetings, and appealed to you in public hearings over the past three years. The financial analyses put forward in the rationalization of the pipeline were paid for by Dakota Access themselves. Dave Swenson, an economist at Iowa State University, analyzed these documents and found them to be over inflated. His analysis is available online. You have the opportunity to re-examine the inflated claims brought forward by Dakota Access and have evidence of the abuse they have caused to families and our land in Iowa. This information can be used now to revoke the permit.

Already the pipeline has leaked multiple times in its testing. All pipelines eventually leak; but these can be avoided by shutting the pipeline down now. Iowa is a leader in wind energy and solar is a growing sector of our energy economy. There is no reason to continue to allow Dakota Access to put our farms, water, community health, and financial stability of the state at risk.

When I ask folks what they think of Iowa’s new Governor, Kim Reynolds, the usual response is, “Well, nothing really.” And that’s fine. She’s only been Governor for a few weeks, and for the last six years, has existed primarily as Governor Branstad’s shadow.

Well, here’s one of Gov. Reynolds’ first big opportunities to show that she’s not just a Branstad clone. Read on, and if you agree with what Christine Nobiss and I are working to accomplish, as laid out in this press release, share it widely. And come join us on July 1st. Thanks!!

Pipeline Opponents to Gov Reynolds: Appoint New IUB MemberJuly 1 action at the State Capitol announced

Richard W. Lozier, Jr.

Des Moines, Iowa — In light of Iowa Utilities Board member Richard W. Lozier, Jr.’s statement today that he is recusing himself from any votes or even discussion of the Dakota Access pipeline, Bold Iowa and Indigenous Iowa called on Governor Kim Reynolds to remove him from the board and appoint someone without a conflict of interest. Lozier served as legal counsel for the MAIN Coalition, a public relations firm with close ties to Dakota Access and Energy Transfer Partners.

“It’s mind boggling that Gov. Branstad appointed someone with such a clear conflict of interest on the biggest issue ever to come before the IUB,” said Ed Fallon. “The question now is will Gov. Reynolds do the right thing: remove Lozier from the board and appoint someone who’s not beholden to the fossil fuel industry.”

“Big Oil and its minions within state government keep giving us more reasons to fight,” said Christine Nobiss, founder of Indigenous Iowa. “We’ll rally at the State Capitol on July 1, right in front of her office, and I hope she’s working that day so she hears our message: ‘No more political patronage for fossil fuel flunkies!’”

The July 1 action (click here for details) will be on the south side of the Iowa State Capitol, just outside the Governor’s office and across from the Iowa Supreme Court Building. The event’s focus is twofold:

Encourage Gov. Reynolds to remove Lozier from the IUB, and

Remind the public of the importance of the lawsuit pending before the Iowa Supreme Court, in which a group of landowners allege eminent domain was used illegally to take their land for the pipeline. Sierra Club Iowa Chapter is also a plaintiff in that lawsuit, alleging that the IUB should not have issued a permit to Dakota Access.

Below is the official order from the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) regarding DAPL letting the insurance on its oil pipeline lapse (click here to see the original). Yeah, I know, releasing news on a Friday afternoon is a great way to suppress it. Let’s do what we can to change that. Read the order, below, and help circulate the press release I sent out here. Thanks! – Ed

[BREAKING AS OF 4:40 P.M. Central Time: Fallon just got off the phone with IUB staff person who said, “I can’t confirm whether Dakota Access does or does not have insurance right now.”]

On March 10, 2016, the Utilities Board issued its “Final Decision and Order” in this docket. In the order, among other things, the Board directed Dakota Access, LLC (Dakota Access), to file and maintain at least $25,000,000 in general liability insurance, to be re-filed and reviewed each time it is renewed for the life of the pipeline. (See Ordering Clause No. 3.a at p. 153.)

On March 16, 2016, Dakota Access filed general liability, excess liability, and umbrella insurance policies with the Board, followed by public (redacted versions) on June 1, 2016. The filing included confirmation of coverage for the term from March 15, 2016, to March 15, 2017. On March 22, 2017, Dakota Access filed written endorsements extending the terms of the policies to May 1, 2017. Dakota Access said that it intended to renew or replace the policies for a longer term on or about May 1, 2017, and would file written evidence of the renewal or replacement promptly thereafter. Then, on May 15, 2017, filed endorsements further extending the terms of the policies to June 1, 2017, and said that because the pipeline was expected to go

DOCKET NO. HLP-2014-0001 PAGE 2

into service in the near future, it had secured new policies to replace the existing policies, which “will be filed with the Board as soon as they are available.”

As of June 7, 2017, no such filing has been made. It is important that the Board have accurate, up-to-date information regarding the insurance for this pipeline. Accordingly, the Board will direct Dakota Access to file, on or before June 13, 2017, either (a) the new insurance policies or (b) a detailed report describing the status of the policies and stating when they will be filed.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:
On or before June 13, 2017, Dakota Access, LLC, shall file either (a) insurance policies complying with the requirements of Ordering Clause No. 3.a in the “Final Decision and Order” issued in this docket on March 10, 2016, or (b) a detailed report describing the status of insurance for the pipeline that is the subject of this docket, including a statement of when new insurance policies will be filed.

The trial for pipeline-fighter Kriss Wells just wrapped up this afternoon. Kriss (pictured below) is a long-time resident of the Quad Cities and a retired social worker. Despite a strong presentation that focused on the climate justifcation for his nonviolent direct action, Kriss received a verdict of “guilty” in a jury trial today at the Boone County Courthouse. He was one of thirty pipeline opponents charged with trespass on August 31, 2016 while blocking vehicles from leaving or entering a staging area along Highway 30 east of Boone, and the only one of the group to plead “not guilty” and to request a jury trial.

Here’s the press release sent out earlier this afternoon as a cooperative effort between the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition and Bold Iowa. Please share and let’s get the word out! Thanks, and read on below the release for information about the Fallon Forum. – Ed

Boone, Iowa — Kriss Wells (pictured below), a long-time resident of the Quad Cities and a retired social worker, received a verdict of “guilty” in a jury trial today at the Boone County Courthouse. Wells was one of thirty pipeline opponents charged with trespass on August 31, 2016 while blocking vehicles from leaving or entering a staging area along Highway 30 east of Boone. Wells was the only one of the group to plead “not guilty” and to request a jury trial. The August 31 action was organized by Bold Iowa and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and drew over 100 participants.

“I’m certainly disappointed in the jury’s decision,” said Wells. “Court rulings have been all over the board in this pipeline fight, and I hope for a different outcome with my trial in Calhoun County on June 28. I did this in part for my grandkids and their future, and I’ll continue to speak out and take action.”

The plaintiffs see this case as setting a new precedent in Iowa. The defense explained its justification for trespassing by raising concerns about the urgency to address climate change, water quality and the misuse of eminent domain.

“Today climate change was on trial,” said Carolyn Raffensperger with the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition. “Kriss Wells was justified in challenging the Iowa Utilities Board’s permit allowing Dakota Access to build this crude oil pipeline, which will do irreparable harm to our climate and planet.”

“That action last summer marked a key point in the escalation of opposition to the pipeline,” said Ed Fallon, director of Bold Iowa. “It garnered national attention to our struggle. Kriss’ act of nonviolent civil disobedience and his decision to take his arrest to trial are statements of commitment and courage that continue to inspire others.”

Despite the oil beginning to flow last week, efforts to resist the pipeline continue, with a rally planned this Saturday in Des Moines, a flotilla on the Des Moines River in Boone County on June 17, and a protest against the Iowa Utilities Board on July 1.

And listen to not just the Fallon Forum but 167 hours of quality Latino music and talk each week. Visit www.lareina1260.com and click on one of the six app options halfway down the screen on the right.